B R I T I S H I C E © 2 0 2 0 O W E N D . P O M E RY
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1890..
1984.
13
London. 1984.
Ah! Harrison, marvellous to see you. How was the Congo? Still an interesting little country?
It’s a huge country, Sir, with a huge amount of problems and...
I know, I know, it’s not a glamorous assignment, but everyone has to do their stint and it’s good to get it out the way now, it’s no place for an old chap like me. I promise you Bermuda or better next time!
Quite, quite...but you’re fully recuperated and ready for your next assignment, I trust? The British Arctic Territories!
That’s not necessary. But I’m anxious about the rumours regarding the disappearance of the previous commissioner and reports of unrest in the local community... It’s nothing, Harrison.
Roberts was a good man, but he just couldn’t take the pace, simple as that. It’s not for everyone, this job.
But you, you are made of sterner stuff. It’s in the blood, son of the late great Sir Jonathan Fleet! One of the greatest ambassadors this country has ever seen, how can you fail with such lineage? 14
’You don’t need to send a single ship, you need to send a Fleet’. Hahaha!
Ha! You know what they used to say whenever there was trouble in one of the colonies, don’t you?
Your father could certainly get things done.
It came at a cost.
It’s a free market economy, son, and in the more remote parts of the world, you set your own rates, just like your father did. I’ll see you in four years. Don’t let us down now.
15